Saleen, Inc.


1984	Saleen Autosport formed by racing driver Steve Saleen. The company introduces the first Saleen Mustang.

1986	Saleen Autosport enters Sports Car Club of America Showroom Stock series with a race prepared version of the Saleen Mustang, wins grueling 24 Hours of Mosport with sponsorship from General Tire.

1987	Three-car Saleen team wins driver, team, manufacturer and tire championships in SCCA Escort Endurance Championship with sponsorship from General Tire. Enters a General Tire backed, Ford Ranger-based, Saleen Sportruck in the SCCA Coors Race Truck Challenge, captures two wins.

1988	Saleen Mustangs finish 1-2-3 at 24 Hours of Mosport for the third consecutive win and gives Ford its first 1-2-3 finish since LeMans in the late '60s. Introduces Saleen Sportruck.

1989	Enters the PPG Indy Car World Series with a team backed by Montgomery Ward. Saleen Mustangs and Sportrucks continue their winning campaigns in SCCA Showroom Stock Competition with General Tire sponsorship.

1990	Enters Trans-Am series with a Saleen Mustang backed by General Tire. Saleen Performance Parts expanded and established as an independent operation.

1991	Wins SCCA Race Truck championship with five victories in six races which moves Steve into a tie for the most victories in the series, and provides Ford with the manufacturer's championship. Campaigns Trans-Am series with Saleen Scorcher Mustang and sponsorship from Champion Batteries, secures three top ten finishes.

1993	Saleen returns to SCCA Showroom Stock competition with a supercharged Saleen SC in the World Challenge series.

1994	Saleen introduces his most impressive product lineup to date including the 351 c.i.d. powered S351, the 480 horsepower Saleen SR.

1995	Saleen introduces the Speedster featuring a 351 cubic-inch, 371 hp Saleen engine with an optional supercharger that can boost output to 480 hp. Saleen, Inc. forms the Saleen/Allen "RRR" Speedlab with actor Tim Allen ("Home Improvement," "The Santa Clause"). The team sets new track records and won the final race of the SCCA World Challenge series.

1996	Saleen debuts the 1996 Saleen S281, featuring a 4.6-liter, 215 hp engine. This vehicle offers an affordable entry into the Saleen line of vehicles. Power output from the supercharged S351 rises to 495 hp. The Saleen/Allen "RRR" Speedlab, with teammates Steve Saleen and Tim Allen win the SCCA Manufacturers Championship. Steve Saleen is inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame with Carroll Shelby.

1997	Steve Saleen joins the Board of Directors for the Mustang Museum and Professional Sports Car Racing Inc. Saleen/Allen "RRR" Speedlab competes at 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the Mustang's first return in over 30 years. Saleen clinches the SCCA Manufacturers Championship title for the third time.

1998	Saleen debuts the Saleen Explorer XP8 Performance Utility Vehicle, its first foray into the sport utility vehicle market. Saleen/Allen "RRR" Speedlab wins both the SCCA Manufacturers' and Drivers' Championship titles.

1999	Saleen unveils the 1999 Saleen Mustang S281 and S351, featuring dynamic new design, lower cost and higher level of performance. An ex-Le Mans Saleen SR won the Spanish FIA GT.

2000	Competing in the inaugural Grand American Road Racing season, Saleen captured the GTO Driver's Championship in July and clinched the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the season finale at Watkins Glen. Saleen customer cars participated in the Motorola Cup and the Speedvision World Challenge earning a victory at Lime Rock. Saleen unveils the S7 at Laguna Seca Raceway, CA, August 19.

2002	Saleen unveils the S281 Extreme, the world’s most powerful (445hp) production Mustang. Saleen S7R customer teams continue to operate in four series (American LeMans, Grand Am, British GT and Spanish GT) winning 18 out of 40 races and three Drivers’ Championships and several more Team and Manufacturers Championships. Also wins 21 poles and sets 23 fastest laps. Saleen is awarded the assembly and paint contract for the Ford GT(40). Twin-screw Supercharger is offered on the Saleen S281 Extreme.

2003	Saleen begins assembly of Ford GT and other specialty vehicles in new Troy, Michigan manufacturing facility. 20th Anniversary Saleen Mustang (SA20) is offered. Saleen S7 appears in movie, “Bruce Almighty," as God’s car. Harrison Ford drives a S281 in “Hollywood Homicide.” Saleen S281 races in the movie, “2 Fast 2 Furious.”

2004	While Europe watched, the Saleen S7R captures 1st place win at Imola, Italy, beating home-track favorites Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini, and the debuting Maserati MC-12. Saleen introduces the N20 Focus. Saleen builds Ford concept vehicles like the Mustang GTR that showed at the New York Auto Show.

2005	Saleen introduces the S7 Twin Turbo with 750hp. Saleen debuts all-new 2005 Saleen Mustang line-up. The S281 3-V obtains 330hp, the Supercharged reaches 435hp, and the Extreme (“E”) achieves 550hp -- the fastest Saleen Mustangs produced to date. Saleen S7 appears in 50 Cent’s #1 music video, “Candy Shop.” Saleen debuts new line featuring the Saleen Scenic Roof and Speedster. Saleen offers 15” brake system for the Mustang. HID headlights are introduced by Saleen.

2006	World’s Fastest Production Car – Saleen S7 Twin Turbo offered at 1000hp. Saleen/Oreca Race Team drives the S7 race version and captures the fastest lap and takes the victory at Spa, Belgium. The fastest Saleen to date, the S281 Extreme, goes into production, boasting 550hp. Saleen Sport Truck S331 is unveiled at 450hp. Saleen debuts the Saleen / Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang -- a 1970 retro-style Parnelli Jones Boss 302 in a contemporary form, revealing 370hp in a 302 cid V-8, 3-valve engine. Saleen opens first retail store – *“The Saleen Store”* – in Irvine, California.